the essential guide to your baby''''s first foods

However, before you even put that first spoonful into your baby’s mouth, it’s helpful to be aware of the top tips for successful weaning: Z Make sure your baby is ready.. Weight gain It’s

annabel karmel

Everyday help for introducing your baby’s

first foods, with more than 50 recipes

Solids

Starting

Starting Solids

Solids

annabel karmel

what to feed, when to feed,

and how to feed your baby

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44First vegetable purée 46Roasted butternut squash or pumpkin 47Baked sweet potato 48

Trio of root vegetables 49Carrot, sweet potato, and apple 50Butternut squash and apple 51Butternut squash and pear 51Apple purée 52

Pear purée 52

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No cook purées 54

Mango purées 55

Menu planners 56

Exploring new tastes and textures:

Stage Two – 6 to 9 months

Getting it right from the beginning: introducing

new foods 60

The best new foods 62

Foods to avoid 64

Lumps, chunks, and learning to chew 66

Foods for little fingers 68

Annabel’s top 10 weaning tips 72

Sweet potato with broccoli and peas 74

Pumpkin and pea purée 74

Potato, carrot, and corn 75

Cheesy leek, sweet potato, and cauliflower 76

Lentil purée with sweet potato 77

Tomato and butternut squash pasta 78

Salmon and corn chowder 80

Poached salmon with carrots and peas 81

Annabel’s tasty salmon 82

Cod with butternut squash and cheese

sauce 83

Spinach and cod purée 84

Chicken and parsnip purée 86

Mild chicken and apricot curry 87

Chicken with sweet potato, peas, and

basil 88

Beginner’s beef ragout 90

Beef ragout with sweet potato and

apple 92

Apple, apricot, and banana purée 93

Apple and pear with apricots 94Apple, pear, and prune purée 94Pear and plum compôte 96Menu planner 97

Creating a varied diet:

Stage Three – 10 to 12 months

A balanced diet at 10 to 12 months 100Moving on to new textures 102Successful self-feeding 104Family food 106

Out and about 107Tomato and basil pasta sauce 108Cherub’s couscous 109

Pasta “Risotto” 110Chicken bolognese 111Annabel’s tasty bolognese 112Cheesy rice balls 114

Annabel’s chicken burgers 115Mini meatballs 116

Fish fingers 117Mini sandwiches to share 118French bread mini pizza 119Cheese and apple quesadilla 119Tropical banana popsicle 120Blueberry and banana popsicle 120Banana muffins 122

Oat cookies 123Menu planner 124

Resources 125Index 125Acknowledgments 128

Many people have asked me for a book on starting solids to help guide them through the first year of their baby’s life, from the very first spoonful through to finger foods and family meals I meet a lot of parents who are confused by conflicting advice from books, websites, doctors, family, and health professionals, and my aim is to help you make your own informed decisions and to give your baby the very best start in life

I have spent the last 20 years since losing my first child researching and working on improving nutrition and developing recipes for babies and children I have written 20 books, which have been published all over the world All my advice is based on scientific research and what I have learned while raising my own three children

My aim is not just to give parents information on what foods to give and when, but also to help them find ways to make these foods taste delicious—even without added seasoning—so that a baby is trained from

an early age to enjoy eating healthy food Between six months and a year, there is a window of opportunity when babies tend to be pretty good eaters, and it is important to introduce as much variety into the diet as soon as you can so that your child does not grow up to be a fussy eater.

I understand that as a parent of a young baby there isn’t the time to

be spending hours in the kitchen, so my recipes are quick and easy

to prepare They can also be made in bulk and then frozen in individual portions so, with the help of my menu planners, you can give your baby

a good balanced diet while only having to cook a couple of times a week There are lots of time-saving tips too—for example, how to prepare no-cook baby food by simply mashing banana or avocado There is

also advice on how best to introduce chicken, fish, and meat, and why

Foreword

it’s not a good idea to continue giving

only fruit and vegetable purées for too

long As your baby grows older, my

recipes progress to mashed, ground,

and chopped food, as well as a whole

variety of delicious finger foods.

Introducing solids is an important

milestone Wake up your baby’s

tastebuds with these tasty

fresh food ideas and enjoy a

wonderful first year together.

Annabel was awarded an MBE

(Member of the British Empire)

by the Queen for her services to

child nutrition and she recently

won the Mother and Baby

Lifetime Achievement Award

Understanding weaning

to solid food are not set in stone and you may find

than other babies of a similar age Some days may be better than others, too, and there will also

It helps to understand the basics of weaning and

the theory behind it. Armed with knowledge,

for you and your baby.

Your baby’s usual milk

From around six months, your baby’s regular milk

will no longer provide her with all the nutrients

she needs—in particular, vitamin D and iron—and

her stores of these start becoming depleted by

this stage This is one reason why now is the ideal

time to begin weaning, as missing nutrients

need to be provided by food It is, however, very

important to remember that your baby’s milk will

continue to form a significant part of her nutrition

for many months to come, giving her the fat,

carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals

she needs What’s more, feeding your baby her

milk will remain an important source of comfort

and will help to continue the bonding process

Premature babies

Many people think that babies who are born early may be a little late in many stages of development, as they catch

up on time lost in the womb While it

is important to monitor your baby’s developmental milestones, weaning your little one usually doesn’t need to

be delayed past six months Actually, babies born early miss out on some of the normal nourishment that occurs in the womb during the latter stages of pregnancy In particular, they may need nutrients such as iron and zinc, because these are only stored in the baby’s body

in the last weeks of pregnancy, and therefore some premature babies need extra nutrition or supplements in order

to “catch up.” Also, weaning may take them a little longer than full-term babies If your baby seems ready (see page 22), talk to your doctor When you begin, go for nutrient-dense foods, such

as avocado, potatoes, and apricots, which will help to build her up

Weaning is a gentle process, involving slowly and sensitively replacing your baby’s regular milk with healthy, delicious, nutritious food, which will fill her with energy and encourage optimum growth and development You have a window of opportunity between 6 and 12 months of age when your baby will tend to eat pretty well, so take advantage of this to introduce a variety of new flavors that will hopefully set her on a path of healthy eating for life.

What weaning’s all about

“

Weaning is a gentle process,

involving slowly and sensitively replacing

your baby’s regular milk with healthy,

delicious, nutritious food.

“

Your baby will need breast milk or formula until

she is at least 12 months old, when her diet is

varied enough to offer the correct balance

of nutrients Breastfeeding can be successfully

continued alongside the introduction of solid

What weaning’s all about

food There is plenty of research to suggest that

breast milk continues to offer antibodies well into

toddlerhood, which can help your little one resist

infection It also contains a readily absorbed form

of iron, as well as protein, essential fatty acids,

vitamins, minerals, and enzymes, making it a

perfect complement to a healthy, varied diet

When starting solids, breastfeed your baby

as usual, or, if she is on formula, make sure she

gets at least 28oz (840ml) per day Most parents

find it easiest to continue with the morning and

evening feeds and fit the other milk feeds around

mealtimes, gradually giving a little less as their

baby takes more solids Feed your baby after

her first solids instead of before, so that she is

hungrier and more willing to try foods being

offered Top her off by filling her tummy with a

milk feed once she’s had a few spoonfuls of

puréed fruit, vegetables, or rice

Introducing a mixed diet

When you begin to wean your baby, you’ll be

introducing her to new tastes in the form of baby

rice, vegetables, and fruit At the outset, she’ll

take these in the form of a liquid purée so that

it’s similar to her milk—it should be almost the

same consistency as yogurt—and then progress

to lumpier, thicker purées, then lumps Variety is

the order of the day Introduce her to a new food

every day or so The greater the variety, the easier

it will be to progress to a healthy, nutritious diet

One or more spoonfuls swallowed represents

success in the early days, so don’t panic if she

doesn’t manage a whole bowl

Remember, the first stage of weaning is about

introducing new tastes and teaching the art of

eating, and it can take some time So offer each

new taste and if she doesn’t like what’s being

offered, put it aside and try again another day

Tips for starting weaning

Getting it right from the start will make the process of weaning your baby over the coming months much easier Later on in the book, we’ll look at the various setbacks that can arise, and the best ways to deal with them However, before you even put that first spoonful into your baby’s mouth, it’s helpful to be aware of the top tips for successful weaning:

Z Make sure your baby is ready Pushing a young, reluctant baby will make the start of the weaning process upsetting for you both (see page 22)

Z Babies sometimes find the process a little clinical and become upset when mealtimes

no longer involve the comfort of sucking milk When offering your baby her very first taste or two you may find it easier to hold her on your lap, as this will help her feel loved and secure

Z When babies feed from the breast or a bottle they instinctively push their tongue forward Now your baby needs to learn to keep her tongue at the back of her mouth

If she has trouble with a spoon, try dipping

a clean finger in the purée and let her suck your finger for the first few mouthfuls

Z Laugh, smile, sing, and taste your baby’s food at mealtimes—she’ll want to join in the fun by copying you and eating it herself

Z Avoid feeding your baby when she’s tired, irritable, or very hungry At these times, she’ll want one thing only—milk

Z Don’t get too hung up about portion sizes

or nutrients If the food is wholesome and fresh and she’s eating a little, you’ve done well

Z Try not to compare your baby with others All babies develop at their own speed and take to different foods at different stages It is

no reflection on their intelligence or abilities

Sleeping through

Many babies continue to wake up at night, which

can be exhausting for parents If this is the case

with your little one, once the weaning process is

underway make sure you give him a nutritious

evening meal that contains a carbohydrate, a

protein, and a vegetable (see page 16) Protein

in particular takes a long time to digest and may

help to keep your child satisfied for a longer

period of time if he is waking up due to hunger

Teething and weaning

The development of teeth doesn’t mean your

baby is ready for solids Some babies cut their

first milk teeth around four months, which is

early for weaning, while others show no signs

of teething until well after six months

Weight gain

It’s often suggested that underweight babies

benefit from early weaning; however, research

shows that continuing with milk feeds encourages

your baby to reach his optimum weight as initial

foods (fruit and vegetables) are often low in energy

Late weaning and allergies

Some parents have been advised to wean their

babies later than six months because of a family

history of allergies The idea is that their immune

systems would be more mature later on and

better able to cope with allergens In fact,

research has found that later weaning has no impact on the development of allergies but may make it more difficult to encourage your baby to eat solid foods What’s more, he runs the risk of becoming iron deficient, as his regular milk will not contain enough to meet his needs Weaning at around six months is ideal

Avoiding wheat, meat, and dairy

Some parents decide to keep their babies’ diets clear of wheat, meat, and dairy However, cutting out whole food groups is dangerous Dairy is

an important source of calcium and vitamin D—vital for teeth and bone growth It’s also a good source of protein Wheat is a source of gluten, which can cause problems in a minority

of babies; however, it is also a great source of carbohydrates, B vitamins, and fiber After six months, it’s a healthy addition to your baby’s diet

As for meat, there are few other such readily available sources of easily absorbed iron

Odd bowel movements

If foods reappear undigested in your baby’s diaper, you may think he’s not ready for weaning

Be assured that many foods seem untouched

by the digestive process, but some goodness will have been absorbed Until they are about two, babies cannot completely digest husked vegetables and fruit skins Peeling, mashing, and puréeing encourages foods to be digested

The process of weaning is surrounded by myths We’ve got grandma telling

us that babies need to be weaned at three or four months in order to sleep through the night, then reports suggesting we’re giving babies a lifetime

of health problems if we do it sooner than six months So what is the truth?

Weaning truths and myths

Sally and Tom, 6 months

I put off weaning Tom for a week because I

couldn’t bear the thought of him taking that

first big step toward independence Although

it seems silly now, I felt emotional at the

thought that he would no longer be solely

dependent on me I love breastfeeding, and

we both found it hugely comforting Solid

food seemed so clinical and it was a big

reminder that our lovely feeds would at some

point end I was also a bit nervous about giving him the right foods—I really want to give Tom the best start in life and make sure he’s getting all the nutrients he needs to be strong and healthy But in the end weaning was

a huge success and he eagerly took to his first tastes For our first purée, I chose organic sweet potatoes with a little expressed breast milk

At least I know he’s getting the best there is!

“

“

Everything your baby eats contributes to her growth and development, and lays the foundation for her future health While the process of weaning is initially more about an introduction to the world of food than a prescription for good health, little spoonfuls lead to bigger ones, and it’s important to introduce variety to help prevent your baby from becoming a fussy eater.

Creating a healthy diet

You don’t have to be an expert in nutrition to

create healthy, nutritious meals for your baby

Choosing fresh, unprocessed foods will boost

her health and make sure that she gets all the

nutrients she requires

So what does your baby need? From birth

until around six months, she’ll get everything

she needs from her regular milk, whether breast

or bottle Breastfeeding is the healthiest option (see page 11), and you can continue with this for

as long as you both feel happy, alongside other foods However, the fact that your baby is getting most of her nutrients from milk doesn’t mean that you can skimp on the quality of other foods

Creating a healthy diet

A balanced diet simply means a diet that contains

all of the elements that contribute to good health

This is what it should contain:

Fats

We’ve been conditioned to think that fat is

“unhealthy,” but this simply isn’t the case It’s

actually important for energy and all sorts of

body functions, including the nervous system

Fats contain vitamins A, D, and E, which are also

crucial for health and development

The most important type of fats are “essential

fatty acids,” or EFAs, which you can find in oily fish,

nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and avocados These

play a key role in your baby’s brain and visual

development in the first year, and it’s important to

introduce fish such as salmon into her diet once the first tastes (see Chapter 2) are established.The fats to avoid are transfats, which have been hydrogenated They have been shown to have an adverse health effect and are used in all kinds of processed and baked food, including cookies, pies, potato chips, and cakes Avoid anything with the word “hydrogenated” on the label

Saturated fats, such as those found in cheese, butter, whole milk, and meat, have also been linked with health problems; however, babies do need proportionately more of these fats in their diet than adults due to their fast growth rate, so it’s a good idea to add a little cheese or butter to your baby’s purée once the initial feeding stage (see Chapter 2) is established

Foods that contain carbohydrates are considered

to be “energy” foods and will provide your baby

with most of her “fuel.” Complex carbohydrates,

which are those that are unrefined, such as

wholegrain cereals and breads, brown rice, fruit,

and vegetables, are the healthiest However,

these also provide fiber It is not good for babies

to have too much fiber, though, because this fills

them up very quickly and reduces the absorption

of essential vitamins and minerals Refined carbs,

such as white rice and flour, have a slightly lower

nutritional value, but they make better starter

foods for babies because they are more easily

digestible As she becomes older, your baby

will move from refined cereals and baby rice to

more complex carbohydrates

Proteins

Protein is found in fish, lean meats, poultry,

legumes (such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils),

soy, dairy products, and eggs It gives your baby

the building blocks for good, steady growth and

healthy development and is an essential part

of her diet If you’ve chosen to give your baby a

vegan or vegetarian diet, you’ll need to make

sure that she gets enough good-quality protein

(see page 18), as animal sources tend to be the

most easily digested and absorbed

Fiber

This isn’t a nutrient as such, but it does have

an important role to play in your baby’s body

Chewing fiber-rich foods stimulates saliva, which

protects your baby’s teeth (when they appear),

and encourages healthy digestion It clears out

the digestive tract, encourages regular, healthy

bowel movements, and helps make sure that the

nutrients in your baby’s food are efficiently

absorbed Pectin, which is a soluble fiber found in apples and carrots, helps to balance blood sugar and encourage healthy immunity Fiber is found in almost all fruit, vegetables, and grains

Vitamins and minerals

A balanced diet with plenty of healthy fat, good-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and fresh vegetables and fruit will contain all the nutrients your baby needs There are, however,

a few others to watch out for:

Z Iron is extremely important for little ones, and

a deficiency can mean your baby is less physically active and may develop more slowly Not having enough iron can lead to problems concentrating and a shorter attention span, and can leave your baby feeling tired and weak There are two main types of iron—heme and nonheme Heme iron is

Peach, apple, and pear Fruit purées are a great source of the vitamins and minerals your baby needs after six months.

Creating a healthy diet

found in meats, fish, and eggs, and is more easily

absorbed by your child’s body Nonheme iron

comes from plant sources such as legumes,

leafy green vegetables, peas, and wholegrains,

or iron-fortified cereals The best advice is to

offer a mix of both

Z Vitamin C is essential for iron absorption, so

try to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

in your baby’s diet Vitamin C also helps to

encourage healthy immune function, healing,

and healthy bones and skin Good sources are

fresh fruit and vegetables

Z Vitamin D is crucial for healthy bones and

teeth Our bodies can manufacture vitamin D if

we get enough natural sunlight, and it is also

found in dairy products, eggs, oily fish, and fish

oil Breastfed infants over the age of six months

and those who consume less than 16oz (500ml)

of formula per day should be given a multivitamin

supplement that contains a good quantity

of vitamin D

Z Calcium is essential for the growth and

development of strong bones and teeth and

has a wide range of other functions in your baby’s

body Breast milk is naturally high in calcium, and

formula also contains good levels to maintain

calcium stores You’ll find calcium in dairy

products, leafy green vegetables, canned salmon

and sardines, sesame seeds, almonds, and soy

Z Zinc is essential for the proper development

of your baby It is needed for wound-healing,

immunity, healthy growth, energy, and normal

appetite You can find zinc in seafood, poultry,

lean red meats, sunflower seeds, peanuts,

wholegrains, and legumes

There are other vitamins and minerals that

are also required by babies for good health and

development, and we’ll be looking at these

throughout the book

First tastes

Your baby’s first tastes are not intended

to provide every known nutrient; however, because babies have small tummies, everything you serve should go some way toward helping her become strong and healthy Babies also have fewer nutrient stores

to draw from, which means that a balanced nutritional intake is important What’s more, likes and dislikes are established early, so helping your baby to develop a taste for healthy foods now will make mealtimes a lot easier in years to come

When you first introduce your baby to solid foods, portion sizes aren’t important

A few spoonfuls, once a day, will give her a taste of different flavors and provide a little nutrition After a few weeks, your baby will probably begin to eat one or two “meals” a day “Meals” can, however, be comprised of just a spoonful or two

You’ll find your baby will let you know how much she needs to eat; some foods, such as carbohydrates, will fill her more quickly than fresh fruit and vegetables When she appears

to be full, or resists your attempts to feed her, it’s a good idea to stop

By the time your baby is on three meals

a day and cutting down on her milk feeds (around 10 months) she needs to to be eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, good sources of protein, healthy fats, and good-quality carbohydrates to keep her diet balanced, her body healthy, and her energy levels high Look at her diet throughout the day—as long as she is getting a little of each (ideally some carbohydrate, protein, and vegetable or fruit at every meal), you are doing well

Vegetarian babies

The good news is that for the first 12 months of

your baby’s life, he will get most of the vitamins,

minerals, and other nutrients he needs from his

regular milk Most babies start off vegetarian

anyway, as fruit and vegetable purées form the

basis of their diets for the first month or so of

weaning After this initial stage, when you would

normally go on to introduce meat, poultry, and

fish, you will need to look for alternative sources

of iron, protein, zinc, and vitamin B12 for your

vegetarian baby Vitamin B12 is needed for

healthy red blood cells, your baby’s nervous

system, and healthy growth and development

and you can find it in eggs and dairy products

A shortfall can lead to anemia

Offering dairy products, legumes such as

lentils, fortified cereals, and other grains including

soy products, leafy green vegetables, and fruit

(including dried fruit), should help make sure your

baby gets the nutrients that he needs Provided

there is no family history of allergy (see page 20),

you can introduce peanut butter at this stage too

You’ll also need to make sure that your baby is

getting enough EFAs (see page 15)—plant-based

sources of healthy fat that include avocado, nut

butters, quinoa, olive oil, and flaxseed oil

Be aware that a vegetarian diet tends to be

high in fiber, which is unsuitable for babies It

can also hinder iron absorption and is low in

calories as well as essential fats If your baby

is being brought up on a vegetarian diet, it’s important to include cheese and well-cooked eggs once initial weaning is established, as these are both nutrient-dense foods

Vegan babies

Once again, your baby will get the majority of nutrients he needs from his regular milk However, once he is eating a full diet, you’ll need to look for alternative sources of protein, zinc, calcium, vitamin B12 (see above), and vitamin D (mainly found in eggs, oily fish, and legumes) Your baby will most likely need a vitamin D supplement and perhaps multivitamin and mineral drops to make

up for deficiencies

It’s particularly important to make sure that he

is getting some iron from the outset, so look for iron-fortified cereals and include dried fruits, particularly apricots (dried or fresh), and plenty

of leafy green vegetables in your purées Iron in non-meat sources is difficult for us to absorb, so give your baby some vitamin C-rich foods (fruit, vegetables, a small amount of juice) at the same meal to boost iron absorption

Vitamins and other supplements

Until the age of 12 months, most babies get the nutrients they require from their regular milk At six months, however, your baby’s iron stores start

to become depleted and breast milk does not provide sufficient amounts, so it is important to

Whether you’ve chosen to remove certain foods from your baby’s diet on health, religious, environmental, or ethical grounds, or his diet has to be restricted for other reasons, it’s important to make sure that you make

up for any shortfalls to guarantee he’s getting all the nutrients he needs.

Special diets

Special diets

get your little one screened for iron deficiency

anemia and progress with weaning foods that

contain iron, such as fortified cereal and meat

Feeding a sick baby

The best advice when your little one is sick is to

follow your instincts: if your baby is hungry, offer

him something to eat If he does show an interest

in food, stick to baby rice, ripe bananas, and

apples—these place no pressure on the digestive

system, but offer a little nutrition and energy If he

is not interested in solids, continue offering his

usual milk feeds—the most important thing is to

keep him hydrated Bottle-fed babies may require

a little extra water, too If he is off his milk, seek

advice from your doctor, who may recommend

an oral rehydration solution Most illnesses shift

within 24 to 48 hours, but if your baby seems

listless and has few wet diapers (signs of

dehydration), see your doctor immediately

Weight worries

Breastfeeding is the most effective way to

prevent a baby from becoming overweight, and

breastfed babies are much less likely to develop

problems with obesity in later life If you are

bottlefeeding, watch how and when you feed

your baby Look for cues that he is full, and then

stop Babies less than six months don’t usually

need more than 32oz (960ml) of milk per day

Similarly, when you start introducing solids, try to

avoid over-feeding him—offer tastes, and when

he loses interest, stop

If your little one is underweight, make sure

he’s getting enough of his usual milk and allow him

to eat as much as he likes Make sure that every

meal has a source of protein, and you can include

healthy fats such as egg, milk, cream, cheese, soy,

and olive oil by stirring them into his purées

be sure she is getting enough carbohydrates, which are the fuel your baby needs for growth and energy Include some pasta, oats, rice, potatoes, avocados, and refined grains at mealtimes, alongside her vegetables If nothing seems to make a difference, talk to your doctor, who may check her iron level and prescribe a supplement if it is low

We plan to bring up our baby daughter as a vegetarian, but she doesn’t seem to have much energy and I’m worried that her limited diet might be making her ill.

What are allergies?

Allergies occur when your baby’s immune system

becomes confused Instead of ignoring harmless

food proteins, they trigger a reaction that causes

a chemical called histamine to be released This

is responsible for the symptoms associated

with allergies, such as hives, skin rashes, and

swelling Reactions can be more severe, causing

anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening

Most serious food allergies start in infancy

and the preschool years and are often outgrown

The same few foods seem to be the culprits in

most cases, although these foods vary according

to where you live For example, milk and egg

allergies are common worldwide, whereas peanut

and tree-nut allergies tend to be most problematic

in the US, UK, and Australia, and fish is a common allergen in Spain and Japan This reflects cultural dietary habits The most common allergens are eggs, dairy products, wheat, soy, nuts, sesame seeds, fish, peanuts, and shellfish

Babies at risk

If you have a family history of allergic conditions, such as hay fever, asthma, or eczema, your baby will be at increased risk Babies who suffer from eczema are more likely to suffer from food allergies

If this is the case, you will need to be more cautious when introducing new foods and wait a little longer between each to see if there is a reaction There is no evidence that weaning later or avoiding introducing potentially allergic foods (including peanuts) will affect the likelihood of developing allergies In fact, feeding your baby a wide variety of foods between six and 12 months can help prevent allergies from developing in later life What’s more, exclusive breastfeeding for six months may also help to prevent allergies in susceptible babies

When to be worried

The most important thing you can do is to introduce foods to your baby one by one, and wait at least 24 hours between trying new foods

If your baby is in the “at risk” category, wait 48

to 72 hours Some food allergies are very easy to

Childhood food allergies seem to be on the increase, so it’s not surprising that parents are nervous about introducing foods that could cause problems Assessing whether your baby may be at risk, and learning to recognize the signs of food allergies, can help make weaning safe and successful.

Allergy concerns

Anaphylaxis

All food allergies are potentially

dangerous, but if your baby has

symptoms that affect her breathing,

call an ambulance immediately This is

an anaphylactic reaction, which can

cause a drop in blood pressure known

as “shock.” Symptoms include

breathing problems, sudden pallor,

inexplicable and sudden drowsiness,

facial swelling, and even collapse

Allergy concerns

spot (known as “immediate” allergies) A rash may

develop around your baby’s mouth, her lips, eyes,

and face may swell, and her nose may run She may

also vomit or have diarrhea If her breathing is

affected, it’s vital you call an ambulance immediately,

as this is a life-threatening reaction The same

applies if your baby suddenly looks pale or if she

loses consciousness

Some allergies can be delayed and this makes

them harder to detect Symptoms can include

eczema, reflux, poor growth, constipation or

diarrhea, tummy pain, and frequent distress

or crying However, many of these symptoms

commonly occur in childhood and allergies may

be only one explanation For this reason it is

important to see an experienced doctor to decide

whether food is at the root of the problem

“

Most serious food allergies start

in infancy and the preschool years and

are often outgrown

“

allergy, and it can be difficult to distinguish between them If your baby is suffering from any unusual symptoms after eating particular foods, it’s important that you take her to see your doctor

Keeping a food journal

One of the best ways to pinpoint problem foods

is to make a note of what your baby eats Jot down every food you introduce, when you introduce it, and any reactions your baby may have to it Even if your baby doesn’t suffer from allergies, it can be useful to record details of what foods she has tried and what you think she thought of them! If you do have allergies in the family, it is advisable to wait 48 hours between the introduction of potentially allergenic foods

to see if there is a reaction So, try dairy products, for example, and then wait for two days before introducing eggs on the third day

It is a good idea to introduce new foods at breakfast or lunchtime, so you can monitor your baby’s reaction throughout the remainder of the day Continue to make a note of any changes in your baby’s health and even in her sleep patterns, bowel movements, and behavior for a few days after the introduction of any new food

What if there is a reaction?

If you do notice a reaction, then stop feeding your baby the new food in question, and make

an appointment to see your doctor, who can arrange for your baby to see an allergy specialist The best treatment for a food allergy is to avoid the problem food completely This may mean you will need to make up for any nutritional shortfalls

by giving other foods, but your doctor can arrange for you to see a dietitian, who can provide specialist help Many food allergies are outgrown in childhood

Food intolerance

Intolerance is different than a food allergy,

because it does not involve the immune system

Instead, some cases involve a shortage of

enzymes, which makes digesting the problem

food difficult For example, in the case of lactose

intolerance, there is a shortage of the enzyme

lactase, which is involved in the digestion of milk

Some intolerance is temporary Your baby may

develop a short-term intolerance to milk after a

tummy bug, for example Very rarely, your baby

can experience an intolerance to the chemicals

added to foods, such as colorings, flavorings,

monosodium glutamate (MSG), and sulphites

Symptoms can be similar to those of a food

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months

of your baby’s life is suggested for a variety of

reasons Breast milk is a complete food for babies,

providing them with nutrients as well as liquid

to keep them hydrated Your breast milk also

provides additional benefits, such as antibodies

against infections, hormones, EFAs, enzymes, and

living cells That said, introducing your baby to

solids is about offering new tastes Some babies

are ready earlier than others, although solids

should not be given before 17 weeks

The four- to six-month window

From 17 weeks onward, many babies can tolerate

some solids and it’s important to introduce solid

food by 24 weeks Here’s why:

Z Your baby has the digestive enzymes required

Z He has some head control and can maintain a

good position for swallowing

Z His kidneys can cope with solid foods

Z His iron reserves begin to deplete around six months and it becomes increasingly important that he gets some iron from his diet Iron is an important factor in brain development

Z His jaw and tongue have developed to cope with eating and swallowing foods

Z Dealing with solid foods helps your baby’s mouth and tongue develop and prepare for speaking

Z Up to six months, babies readily accept new tastes, flavors, and textures If you wait too long, your baby may become more resistant Breastfed babies will be used to a variety of flavors through their mother’s milk and may take to new foods more easily than bottle-fed babies

Signs your baby is ready

Your baby will start to show some interest in what you are eating and perhaps reach out to taste it

He may be hungrier than usual, often unsatisfied after his normal milk feed, and possibly waking in the night, when he previously slept through It’s worth noting that a growth spurt commonly occurs between three and four months, which may cause him to wake more at night and perhaps feed more frequently, so don’t assume at this age that he’s ready for solids just yet

Other signs that he is ready, include:

Z Holding his head up; controlling movements

Z Attempting to put things into his mouth

Z Making chewing motions

Z Chewing on his fingers or fists

A great deal of emphasis has been placed on weaning babies at the “right” time and there are good grounds for this However, before you embark on those first tastes of solid food, it is equally important that your baby is ready.

Is your baby ready for weaning?

Coping with allergies

It is suggested that babies who have a

family history of allergies will benefit

from exclusive breastfeeding for six

months before starting on solids After

this, you can wean as usual, paying

particular attention to potentially

allergenic foods (see pages 20–21)

Offering new foods

Below is a guide to the foods that are appropriate for your baby’s growth and development at each stage of weaning—bear in mind that some babies are ready for a greater variety of new foods earlier than others.

Offering new foods

Thicker purées, adding tiny lumps and mashed or finely ground food; melt-in-the-mouth and bite-and-dissolve finger foods (see pages 70–71)

Ground, chopped, mashed, and lumpy food; bite-and-chew finger foods (see pages 70–71)

Potatoes, rutabaga, carrots,

parsnips, sweet potatoes,

butternut squash, pumpkin

Fruits

Ripe peaches, bananas,

apples, pears, papaya, mango,

melon, avocado

Any grains, such as rice, barley, oats, wheat in bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, couscous

Cereals and grains

Gluten-free cereals such as

baby rice, millet, and quinoa

Plums, nectarines, berries, cherries, dried apricots, guava

Citrus fruit (but watch for a reaction); other dried fruit; continue to expand your baby’s repertoire of fruit

Protein

Chicken, white and oily fish, well-cooked eggs, red meat, tofu, legumes, nut butters, very finely ground nuts

Dairy products

Hard pasteurized cheeses, cottage and cream cheese, full-fat plain yogurt, cow’s milk (in cooking and with cereal), butter

Continue to expand your baby’s repertoire of grains, including brown rice, whole grains, and flaxseeds

Soft pasteurized cheeses

Continue to expand your baby’s repertoire of vegetables (e.g., sugar snap peas and baby sweetcorn)

Corn, spinach, peas, cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli, green beans, onions, sweet peppers, mushrooms

Continue to expand your baby’s repertoire of proteins, including different cuts of meat and new varieties

of fish

Consistency

Semi-liquid purées;

easy-to-gum finger foods, depending

on your baby’s ability to gum

and chew (see page 44)

First tastes

Your baby’s first tastes mark a big milestone

in her life and can be both exhilarating and nerve-racking for you Preparing equipment and ingredients in advance and getting acquainted

with the best first foods can help make the

process easier The best advice is to take it

slowly, spend time planning your baby’s meals, and go at her pace. She’ll soon get into the swing of things and enjoy experimenting

with a variety of different tastes.

Z Menu planners pages 56–57

stage one – around 6 months

An electric hand blender

This is great for making small quantities of baby food, and for puréeing family meals for your baby (you can freeze these in small portions and use them as you need them) A hand blender is essential if you don’t have a food processor Look out for a model that has several speeds

A food processor

This is ideal for producing larger quantities of purées for freezing, and some also come with mini bowl attachments for whipping up small quantities when required Choose a food processor with a variety of blades for creating textured foods later on

A steamer

Not only does this provide a quick and easy way to cook fruit, vegetables, fish, and poultry, but steaming also helps preserve essential nutrients, making sure your baby gets the most from what she eats

A little planning makes weaning your baby that much easier and you’ll be surprised how little equipment you need to prepare nutritious, delicious first foods You may already have most things you need to get started, and buying a few carefully chosen items will help to make mealtimes an enjoyable and positive experience for you and your baby.

Getting started: what you’ll need

Getting started: what you’ll need

A mouli (small food grinder)

A mouli is ideal for foods with tougher skins, such as

peas or dried fruit, making it easier to separate the

less digestible parts It is also the best way to purée

a potato (using a food processor makes it get sticky)

A masher

A potato-masher, or even a potato ricer (sort of

like a large garlic press), is perfect for creating

lumpier textures Look for a mini-masher, making

it easy to mash and crush small amounts of food

An ice-cube tray

Freeze small portions of purée in ice-cube

trays and pop out a portion or two to defrost as

required Choose a flexible tray with a lid Perhaps

consider buying several trays in different colors,

which may help you identify the contents

A bib

Babies are messy, no matter how careful you are

Plastic wipe-clean bibs are useful, as well as those

with a curve at the base to collect food that

doesn’t make it to her mouth Choose a bib that

fits comfortably under your baby’s chin Younger

babies may prefer soft, cotton ones

A thermos

A wide-necked thermos, which will keep food warm

or cool for several hours, is ideal for transporting

food for your baby This can also be used to carry

hot water, which can then be used for warming

baby food Look for a thermos that can be used

in the microwave and washed in the dishwasher

A lidded cup

From six months, milk and other drinks should be offered in a cup Avoid the non-spill type as these require your baby to continue sucking rather than learning to drink The liquid should flow freely, but not too quickly Some brands have specific flow settings, which can be set according to your baby’s age Soft, easy-to-grip handles are essential

Small bowls

To begin with, you’ll need small food containers that you can hold in one hand—these are ideal for freezing, storing, and reheating food, and you can also feed your baby from them (see page 39) Choose ones with lids to make transportation easy, and make sure they are dishwasher safe

Feeding spoons

Choose a soft, plastic spoon that won’t hurt your baby’s gums It should be small enough to fit easily into his mouth and have a long handle It’s never too soon to get babies used to holding a spoon and giving self-feeding a try (see page 39)

A mess mat

Placed under your baby’s chair, this mat will protect carpets and flooring from inevitable spills Choose one that is non-slip, stain-resistant, and wipe-clean Large mats are ideal, as your baby’s firing range will undoubtedly increase

a high chair, his car seat or baby seat is fine

Which foods should I choose?

Fresh or frozen?

While fresh food would appear to be healthier for

your baby, the truth is that a good proportion of

the produce we eat has been picked well before

its prime and has probably then sat in the back of

a truck or on a supermarket shelf for some time

If you can get fresh food from your supermarket

with a quick turnover or a farmers’ market (or,

indeed, grow it yourself), fresh is best However,

second best is most definitely frozen Frozen food

has been flash-frozen, often minutes after picking,

and it maintains the highest level of nutrients

Local and seasonal

Locally grown food spends less time being

packaged and transported, and therefore

contains a higher number of nutrients Organic

co-ops and farmers’ markets are good sources, or

you can grow your own Most locally grown food

will also be in season Fruit and vegetables in

season are less expensive, and also likely to be

fresher and more nutritious

Raw or cooked?

Ideally, raw fruits and vegetables contain a greater

quantity as well as different types of nutrients than

cooked More than half the nutrients of raw foods

are destroyed in the cooking process, depending

on the way you cook them (see page 34) Raw

foods contain enzymes that are required by the

body to break down other foods, which helps us to

absorb what we need from what we eat Having

said that, raw foods tend to be high in fiber, which is not ideal for little tummies What’s more, research shows that we absorb more nutrients from some cooked foods than we would if they were raw Carrots and tomatoes are good examples What’s the answer? A few soft, raw, fresh foods (mangoes and bananas) make delicious and nutritious purées for babies However, until weaning is established and they are eating regular meals, the majority of their food should be cooked

Going organic?

Although organic food, which is grown and processed without the use of artificial chemicals and potentially dangerous pesticides, has been proven to be better for the environment, there is little evidence to support claims that it is more nutritious That said, some parents who make their own purées using organic ingredients believe that they have more natural sweetness and flavor, which helps when introducing babies to food Be aware, however, that because of strict guidelines governing what can and can’t

be added to organic products, you won’t find foods fortified with iron and calcium, which is important for growing babies

Your baby’s food should be as fresh as possible, without any added

ingredients, such as colorings, flavorings, salt, or sugar Choosing fresh or frozen local produce will help you make sure he gets the nutrients he needs.

Which foods should I choose?

Choose a brand that is sugar-free and enriched with vitamins and iron and follow the instructions

on the package Avoid gluten-containing cereals, such as wheat, rye, and barley, until your baby

is at least six months old

Simply follow the instructions on the packet

Carrot

The sweet taste of carrots appeals to babies

Cook them until they are soft enough to purée (see page 46) Orange-colored root vegetables are rich in beta-carotene, which is essential for your baby’s growth, healthy skin, good vision, and strong bones

is sweeter, and may reject the vegetables

Best first foods

A plain purée of a single root vegetable mixed with your baby’s

usual milk is the perfect first food Your baby will be used to

the sweet taste of milk, so choose sweet vegetables to start.

don’t put

too much

on the

spoon

Mild-tasting and a good source of vitamin C and

potassium, potatoes make a great first weaning

food Peel and chop, then put into a pan, cover

with boiling water, and cook for 15 minutes or

until tender Alternatively, steam until tender Use

a mouli or food grinder to purée, as an electric

blender breaks down the starches and produces

a sticky pulp You can also bake the potato in the

oven for 1–1¼ hours, scoop out the flesh, and

mash with a little of your baby’s usual milk

Sweet potato

Packed with beta-carotene, sweet potato (see

page 48) is richer in nutrients than ordinary

potatoes What’s more, almost any vegetable when

combined with sweet potatoes will taste delicious

Butternut squash

Another colorful vegetable rich in beta-carotene,

butternut squash (see page 47) has a smooth, mild

flavor Try combining it with apple and pear, or

keep it simple and just mix with a little baby rice

Pumpkin

The orange flesh of this vegetable is sweet and

bursting with vitamin C and beta-carotene Peel

and chop, then boil or steam, or bake wedges

in the oven (see page 47) Pumpkin purées to a

smooth consistency and combines well with fruit,

other vegetables, and baby rice, making it a

popular early weaning food pumpkin

butternut squash

colorful food equals plenty of nutrients

“

pear apple

banana

Banana

Sweet, ripe bananas (see page 54) are the perfect convenience food because they can be prepared without cooking, and simply mashed into a soft purée Add a little baby milk if the purée is too thick Bananas contain vitamin C, and the mineral potassium, which encourages your baby’s muscle development What’s more, they are little packets

of energy, providing three healthy natural sugars

Better still, no other fruit contains more digestible carbohydrates than banana

Apple

Apples (see page 52) make an excellent first food for babies because they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction and can be puréed to a very smooth consistency They are a great source of pectin, a soluble fiber that helps your baby’s body process solid food more efficiently

Pear

Pears (see page 52) also contain pectin and have

a sweet, gentle taste that babies love They are rich in vitamin C and vitamin A, and even contain some B vitamins Pears need to be cooked only lightly before puréeing, to preserve their nutrient content If the purée is too runny, stir in a little baby rice to thicken it up

Papaya (see page 54) is another fruit that can

be puréed without cooking Its brightly colored

flesh is rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, and

it also contains plenty of fiber, folic acid, and

vitamin E, making it a nutritious first food Most

babies love the flavor, too Papaya contains a

natural chemical called papain, which helps to

encourage healthy digestion, and other key

nutrients that encourage healthy eyesight

Mango

Mangoes are rich in vitamins A, B, and C, and

contain more calcium than almost any other fruit

They contain a little iron, too Make sure the

mango is ripe, sweet, and not stringy Cut the

mango in half on either side of the pit, peel away

the skin, cut the flesh into cubes, and purée using

a hand blender Mangoes can be blended with

apples, pears, or just about any other fruit to

create a delicious tropical treat (see page 55)

Avocado

Avocado (see page 54) is rich in healthy

mono-unsaturated fats and good-quality proteins, which

encourage your baby’s growth and development

It also contributes nearly 20 vitamins, minerals,

and beneficial plant compounds to her diet It’s a

perfect, nutrient-dense first food and its smooth

consistency makes it ideal for babies There’s no

need for cooking, just mash it on its own, or

blend with your baby’s favorite fruit or vegetable

purée Slices of avocado also make good first

finger foods for independent babies

mango

chat, smile, and sing while you feed—first foods are fun!

Which consistency?

Your baby’s “starter” purées should

be semi-liquid—almost the same consistency as yogurt To begin with, she’ll seem to suck the food off the spoon The more liquid the purées are at the outset, the easier your baby will find them to eat

Healthy cooking

Your baby won’t be eating much to begin with, so

it’s important that his food is as nutritious as it can

be Choose produce that is fresh and make sure

that your cooking method preserves the nutrients

Steaming: This is a great way to preserve taste

and nutrients, in particular vitamins B and C You

can place the food in a steam basket or colander

over boiling water and steam until tender Or, you

can steam in the microwave

amount of water and save the cooking liquid

to thin the puréed food to eating consistency.Baking or roasting: If you are using your oven

to cook a family meal, include some vegetables for your baby Potatoes, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin bake to a nice consistency Prick the vegetables with a fork and bake until tender, then scoop out the contents and purée

Food hygiene

Keeping your kitchen clean and using different cutting boards and knives for meat and fruit/vegetables is a good way to keep food-borne illnesses at bay Puréed food spoils more easily than other food, so must be either used immediately once prepared or placed in the refrigerator once cool, where it will stay fresh for two or three days Purées can be frozen for future use, and will last for several months in the freezer

By the time your baby reaches weaning age, he’ll

be putting things into his mouth, so there is no need to sterilize spoons or containers, although they should be washed in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher, at a temperature high enough to kill germs It is important, however, to continue

to sterilize bottles, particularly the teats Warm milk is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria

Puréeing your baby’s food

Once your fruit and vegetables are cooked until really tender, you can purée them in a liquidizer

or food processor, or with a hand blender

Microwaves: Studies have shown that steaming

food in the microwave is safe and leaves nutrients

relatively intact It is equally as good as steaming

over boiling water and it’s also possible to cook

small quantities Place the fruit or vegetable in a

dish (or microwave steamer), cover (leaving a vent

for steam), and cook on full power until tender

You can use the cooking water or your baby’s

usual milk to help achieve the right consistency

Boiling: Although this does tend to rob many

fruits and vegetables of their nutrient value,

some foods simply don’t become soft enough for

puréeing using steam Be sure to use only a small

Providing your baby with healthy, nutritious meals is much easier than you may think when you first start out Keeping in mind a few basic tips will make sure that he gets the most from the healthy food being offered.

Preparing your baby’s meals

“

Your baby won’t be eating much at

the beginning of the weaning process, so

it’s important that his food is as nutritious

as it can be.

“

Preparing your baby’s meals

Potatoes should be puréed in a mouli, or pressed

through a sieve (see page 31) First foods need

to be semi-liquid and similar to yogurt in

consistency Add a little of your baby’s usual

milk, some of the cooking liquid from the pan

or steamer, or some cooled, boiled tap water

to thin the purée

Batch cooking

This involves cooking larger quantities that can

be divided into portions in small containers or

ice-cube trays, then frozen in batches Get into

the habit of adding extra portions of fruit and

vegetables when you cook family meals Bake

an extra potato or two, or steam extra broccoli

florets, for example These can be puréed or

mashed and then frozen You can make up

combinations by freezing two individual flavors,

such as apple and pear, and then defrosting them

and mixing them together

Freezing and reheating

Freezing batches of baby food means you always

have something fresh and nutritious on hand to

feed your baby Once you’ve cooked fruit and

vegetables until tender, purée them and then

cover Allow to cool before freezing Fill the

ice-cube trays or containers almost to the top

with the purée and store in a freezer that will

freeze at 0°F (-18°C) or below within 24 hours

To thaw, take the food out of the freezer several

hours before a meal and then reheat until piping

hot Allow to cool before serving It’s important to

cook food thoroughly If you use a microwave, stir

carefully and watch out for “hot spots.” Do not

refreeze meals that have previously been frozen

and defrosted The exception to this is raw frozen

food, such as frozen peas, which can be cooked

and then refrozen

of artificial ingredients, it’s worth noting that current legislation governing regular baby foods has made it almost impossible for them

to contain any pesticides, so organic is unlikely to be superior in any major way.Batch cooking, puréeing extra portions from family meals, and swapping trays of purées with friends can make it quick and easy to offer a wide range of homemade baby foods

I find it easier to buy ready-made organic purées, as I don’t have much time for cooking Is there any real benefit to making baby food at home?

It’s a good idea to choose a spot where you’ll be

regularly feeding your baby, so that she begins to

associate it with mealtimes The kitchen is probably

best, as she’s bound to make a considerable mess

for the first few months—or even years!

In what?

If your baby is comfortable in her bouncy chair,

this is perfect Her car seat will also work well—

just make sure she’s sitting upright You may

already have put your highchair to use, with a

cozy insert to make your young baby secure This

may make feeding easier, and as she becomes

accomplished you can also use the tray for her

to try food on her own Don’t forget her bib and

perhaps a splat mat for under the chair or seat

midday is ideal She’ll most likely be alert and happy and ready for a new experience If she’s unwell or out of sorts, leave it for another day

Who should feed your baby?

The first spoonfuls are a bit of a momentous event,

so mom and dad may want to be on hand to witness her foray into the world of food However, anyone can successfully feed a young baby, as long as they are patient and allow her to go at her own pace Some babies respond better to having dad offer the first spoonfuls If your baby can smell mom’s milk, she might resist her new menu in favor

of the comfort of something familiar Similarly, bottle-fed babies may be upset that they are not being offered their usual, warm treat with mom

to the sweet, creamy taste of milk and may be put off by the sight and taste of anything new Choosing sweet vegetables, or a little baby rice with milk, makes the experience less overwhelming It’s fine

to start with single-fruit purées, such as pear, but beware—your little one may enjoy the sweet taste

so much, you may end up with a battle on your hands to encourage her to eat anything else

Your baby’s first taste of “real” food is a momentous occasion and you’ll want to choose just the right moment to make it a success Don’t be

surprised, though, if things don’t go according to plan Some babies

eagerly embrace those first mouthfuls, while others are a little shocked

The very first spoonful

When?

About an hour after your baby’s normal milk feed,

and after she’s had her nap, is a good time to

start her on her first tastes in the weaning

process She won’t be irritable with hunger, but

she may be ready to eat Somewhere around

“

It’s a good idea to avoid giving your

baby her first tastes in the evening, in the

event that her digestive system objects,

disrupting her sleep.

“

The very first spoonful

1 When your baby is happy and settled in her

high chair, scoop up a little bit of purée on the

end of her spoon and gently hold it to her lips

2 If your baby opens her mouth, slide the spoon into it and hold it there for a few moments, so she becomes accustomed to the new taste

3 Carefully withdraw the spoon, using her lips

and gums to remove the purée She may suck at

the spoon or even bite down on it with her gums

4 Refill her spoon and offer a little more Don’t

be surprised if most of the purée re-emerges! Simply scoop it back up and try again

The first feed

What consistency?

Adding a little of your baby’s usual milk to the

purée will make it seem more “familiar” as well as

making sure that it is smooth and almost

yogurt-like To begin with, your baby will “suck” the food

from the spoon rather than use her lips to remove

it Until she masters the art of moving the food

around her mouth with her tongue, it will need to

be liquid enough for her to swallow straight down

How much?

First foods are simply tastes and her usual milk will remain her major source of nutrition One or two tablespoons of purée is about right for the first week or so, but she may want more or less